McNeese sweeps softball DH from Central Arkansas

LAKE CHARLES—McNeese softball was aggressive on the base paths in its 3-0, 4-1 Southland Conference doubleheader victory against Central Arkansas Friday night.

The series will conclude with the final game Saturday set for a 10:30 a.m. start rather than its originally scheduled 12 p.m. start.

With the wins, McNeese improves to 22-22 overall and 13-4 in the SLC while UCA falls to 21-22 overall and 7-10 in conference action.

Senior Justyce McClain was nearly perfect from the plate, ending the night 5 for 7 at the plate with three stolen bases and scored two runs.

As a team, the Cowgirls pounded out 20 hits and the pitching staff got out of several jams in both contests, leaving a combined 17 Bears on the bases.

GAME 1 (McN 3, UCA 0)

B1- McNeese took the early lead on back-to-back squeeze bunts by Cori McCrary and Aubree Turbeville. McClain led the game off with a single then went all the way to third on a bunt single by McClain. Perrin gave the Cowgirls a 1-0 lead on a squeeze bunt then another squeeze bunt by Turbeville scored McCrary for the second run of the inning. ( McN 2, UCA 0)

B4- Cowgirls extend their lead on a ground rule double down the left field line by Kaylee Lopez that scored Alexandria Saldivar. (McN 3, UCA 0)

NOTES

–        The conference series win is the fifth of the season

–        The shutout is the fifth of the season

–        McNeese picked up nine hits

–        Justyce McClain, Cori McCrary and Kaylee Lopez all had two hits apiece

–        Lopez picked up her first extra base hit of the season, a double in the fourth inning

–        The Cowgirls stole five bases

–        Freshman Saleen Flores improved to 5-4 on the season. The shutout is her second of the season

–        Sophomore Amber Coons pitched the final 4 2/3 innings and allowed two hits

GAME 2 (McN, 4, UCA 1)

B2- Cowgirls took the early lead on an RBI double to left centerfield by Alexandria Saldivar that scored Haylee Brinlee. (McN 1, UCA 0)

B4- McNeese added a run on a double steal that scored pinch runner Alayis Seneca. (McN 2, UCA 0)

T5- UCA got on the board on a double by Libby Morris that scored Regan Sterling (McN 2, UCA 1)

B5- McNeese scored two runs on RBI’s by Demi Boudreaux and pinch hitter Alayis Seneca (McN 4, UCA 1)

NOTES

–        McNeese pounded out 11 hits

–        McClain was 3 for 4 and Boudreaux was 2 for 4

–        The RBI’s came from Boudreaux, Seneca, and Saldivar

–        McCrary and Saldivar both had one double apiece

–        McNeese had six stolen bases with McClain swiping two. Boudreaux, Toni Perrin, Seneca, and Taylor Edwards all had one

–        Junior Alexsandra improved to 9-8 on the year with her sixth complete game. Alex gave up four hits, one earned run, walked five and struck out two.

–        UCA used three pitchers